Planning panel sets two public hearings

Friday

Jul 19, 2013 at 12:01 AM

A proposed 2014 Capital Improvement Plan and a zoning ordinance ammendment on general lighting and protective screening will be the subjects of two public hearings set Aug. 21 before the Cheboygan County Planning Commission.

Mary Barker Staff Writer, @mbarkerCDT @mbarkerCDT

A proposed 2014 Capital Improvement Plan and a zoning ordinance ammendment on general lighting and protective screening will be the subjects of two public hearings set Aug. 21 before the Cheboygan County Planning Commission.The commission, at its regular Wednesday meeting, added several projects to the "needed" category of its capital improvement plan. Included are the airport authority's terminal ramp rehabilitation; resurfacing of the parking lot, replacement of the septic tank and expansion of the Sand Castles adult day care program at the Sand Roads Senior Center; resurfacing of the parking lot and a new roof at the Wolverine Senior Center and a new restroom at Wolverine's Lumberman's Park. Added to the plan's "desirable" category for improvements was the Tower Pond trailhead in Forest Township.Community Development Planner Scott McNeil provided details on a draft zoning ordinance amendment dealing with appropriate usage of tents, campers, travel trailers and motor homes under a variety of circumstances on private property. McNeil said the commission has been working to provide flexibility for property owners while at the same time allowing for clear enforcement for a variety of issues that can arise on private property. Various scenarios being addressed include short-term stays on residential lots for gatherings such as a family reunion in relatively densely populated areas. Details also are being drafted for occupancy on vacant lots in less dense areas where the unit(s) may reside for a longer period of time. And attention is being given to situations in more densely populated areas where a guest might be staying for an extended period or a commercial contractor may have a trailer.After lengthy discussion, McNeil will continue to fine tune the draft zoning ordinance for further review by the planning commission.Discussion continued on the distinction between commercial and hobby farms for the purposes of waiving permit fees for buildings that have a commercial use on agriculture zoned land while maintaining those fees for hobby farms.